To climb Everest it costs anywhere from $26,000 to $65,000 dollars. He could have been there longer than he expected, he might not have been able to get a refund, if you planned a trip before you conceived a child, paid $50,000 and thought you would be back before your child was born.
Expecting a child takes precedence over personal thrill-seeking. When one becomes, or will shortly become a parent, unnecessary risk-taking is irresponsible, regardless of whether one can get a refund on a big deposit on a trip to climb a mountain. When the choice is between a father being there for his child and money or a fabulous trip, only a selfish man would choose the trip.
Mr. Delany was a well-off man. Had he wanted to get back home, he could have done so. Sure, he might have missed his trip, but better that than missing raising his child.
Not a risk worth taking when you have young children. They don't get a second childhood.